Sophisticated Giant is a jazz album by saxophonist Dexter Gordon, recorded in 1977 by an eleven-piece band playing tunes arranged by trombone player Slide Hampton. The album marked Gordon's return to the United States after a long residency in Europe.

Sophisticated Giant
Studio album by
Released1977
RecordedJune 1977
GenreJazz
Length45:39
LabelColumbia
ProducerMichael Cuscuna
Dexter Gordon chronology
Homecoming: Live at the Village Vanguard
(1977)
Sophisticated Giant
(1977)
Manhattan Symphonie
(1978)

Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [1]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings    [3]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide     [2]

The Bay State Banner wrote that "Slide Hampton's library of duets, solos, rhythm, harmony, and intense ensemble choruses have variety, but also a consistent deployment of moods and gambits."[4]

AllMusic reviewer Scott Yanow called the album "an excellent acquisition."[1]

Track listing

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Side one

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  1. "Laura" (David Raksin) – 7:37
  2. "The Moontrane" (Woody Shaw) – 6:36
  3. "Red Top" (Lionel Hampton, Ben Kynard) – 8:51

Side two

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  1. "Fried Bananas" (Dexter Gordon) – 7:53
  2. "You're Blasé" (Ord Hamilton, Bruce Sievier) – 9:49
  3. "How Insensitive" (Antônio Carlos Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes) – 4:53
All tunes arranged by Slide Hampton
Recorded June 21 & 22, 1977 at Sound Ideas, NYC by William Wittman

Personnel

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Technical
  • William Wittman — engineer, recording, mixing

References

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  1. ^ a b Yanow, Scott. Dexter Gordon: Sophisticated Giant at AllMusic. Retrieved May 13, 2020.
  2. ^ Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. p. 88. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.
  3. ^ Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. p. 584. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.
  4. ^ Freedberg, Mike (1 Dec 1977). "Record Reviews". Bay State Banner. No. 8. p. 18.